from Mark Smith, Advocate, California Builders Alliance
The cost of building land pipelines in the US has risen to a record $12.1 million per mile, driven by a doubling of material costs and increases in labor and miscellaneous expenses. Despite these higher costs, oil and natural gas pipeline operators have reported record net incomes, with oil pipeline earnings reaching $26.1 billion and gas pipeline earnings at $11.2 billion.
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Full Story: Oil & Gas Journal |
US construction spending to reach about $1.89 trillion by 2030, with metropolitan areas accounting for 64%, according to a forecast report by Merlo America. Data centers are expected to drive industrial demand, while agricultural regions are poised for sustained employment gains.
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Full Story: For Construction Pros |
Construction costs rose at a slower pace in September, with the Engineering and Construction Cost Indicator from PEG and S&P Global Market Intelligence dropping to 58.6 from 63 in August. The subindicator for materials and equipment costs increased by 5.2 points, while the subindicator for subcontractor labor costs decreased.
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Full Story: Building Design+Construction |
The majority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's activities have been idled during the federal government shutdown, raising concerns about workplace safety and regulatory compliance. OSHA has suspended routine inspections, compliance assistance and outreach programs, while only essential personnel are responding to emergencies involving "imminent danger to life or property."
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 3.4% in September, driven by a 4.7% increase in commercial planning, particularly for data centers, and a 0.9% rise in institutional planning. Major projects include a $440 million CyrusOne data center in Illinois and a $246 million high school in Texas.
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Full Story: Dodge Construction Network |
The Senate has confirmed more than 100 nominees, including
- David Keeling as assistant secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health
- John Busterud as assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Solid Waste
- David Fink as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
Keeling aims to advance technology and safety standards at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Busterud will oversee Superfund and PFAS remediation, and Fink plans to prioritize safety and regulatory updates.
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, funded by the Environmental Review Improvement Fund, is continuing to fast-track permits for infrastructure projects that align with Trump administration priorities despite the government shutdown. Executive Director Emily Domenech says this is an opportunity to advance projects in energy production, transportation and data centers.
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
The Department of Energy has canceled $7.56 billion in funding for 223 clean energy projects in states that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the projects did not meet the nation's energy needs or offer a positive return on investment. Democratic lawmakers and advocates argue that the move is illegal and politically motivated, warning of higher energy costs and job losses.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
In recruiting, construction needs to pitch being a leader, not a laborer
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Boyd Worsham, president and CEO of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, writes that the industry should emphasize the top, not the bottom, of building’s career ladder.
Empowering jobsite leaders starts with breaking down barriers
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Dubbing all foreman on projects as “frontliners” has led to an increase in commitment and collaboration, writes Rachel Neal, vice president of global safety for Compass Datacenters.
Microsoft has invested in Fortera, a green cement manufacturer, through its $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon building materials for its global data center operations. Fortera will use the funding to build its first commercial plant, which will produce 400,000 tons of cement annually and utilize the company's ReCarb and ReAct technologies to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared with traditional cement.
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Full Story: Global Construction Review (UK) |
The US Department of Transportation has revised the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, removing sex and race as criteria for automatic certification. The change, effective Oct. 3, means all DBEs must now demonstrate disadvantage on an individual basis. "It means that all of the DBE goals are currently paused," says Potomac Law Group attorney Danielle Dietrich. "All of the contracts and overall goals are basically gone until such time as the states reevaluate every single one of their DBEs on a basis that does not take into consideration sex, race or ethnic origin."
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
The Associated General Contractors of America has released a guide to help contractors manage risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances after the Environmental Protection Agency designated perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid as hazardous substances. The AGC is challenging the EPA's rule in court, arguing that contractors should not bear the full burden of liability for PFAS contamination, and has called for project owners to share responsibility for PFAS-related risks.
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Full Story: Construction Briefing |
Granite Construction has been using supervised autonomous equipment by retrofitting machines with kits from Bluelight Machines, which has improved safety and efficiency, says Aaron McClellan, Granite's construction technology manager. McClellan, who has overseen implementation at two sites, says the technology has been well-received by workers, with a quick learning curve, and allows operators to focus on more critical tasks.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
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As construction heads toward $4.2 trillion in global growth over the next 15 years, AI is emerging as a key solution to the industry's labor shortages and data fragmentation--enhancing design, cost estimation, scheduling and maintenance through predictive analytics and BIM integration, writes Josh Kanner, senior director of product and strategy at Oracle Construction and Engineering. Kanner says the democratization of AI tools is accelerating adoption in architecture, engineering and construction, enabling firms of all sizes to access intelligent platforms that break down data silos, optimize resources and drive safer, more sustainable, and efficient project delivery.
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
A global survey of 86 senior construction executives reveals that, despite widespread discussion, most firms remain cautious about adopting AI, with only small-scale pilots underway and many still lacking formal deployment plans. Designers and engineers show the greatest enthusiasm, but concerns about governance, liability, and data-sharing risks--especially across fragmented, multinational supply chains--continue to slow adoption. Respondents emphasized the need to standardize complex data, such as product attributes, before AI can reliably enhance productivity or transform business models in the sector.
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Full Story: Global Construction Review (UK) |
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 697, allowing expedited construction for a $500 million project to widen part of Highway 37, which is sinking into Bay Area marshland. The project aims to reduce congestion for low-income commuters but offers minimal protection against rising sea levels, raising concerns about its long-term effectiveness.
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Full Story: The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (tiered subscription model) |
The cost of the Brightline West high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Southern California has increased by 35% to $21.5 billion, prompting the company to seek a $6 billion loan from the federal government. The cost increase is attributed to rising labor and material expenses driven by high demand from data centers, power plants and other transportation projects. The project, initially expected to open in 2027, is now projected to begin operations in 2029.
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Full Story: Daily Press (Victorville, Calif.) |
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Mark Smith
Advocate
California Builders Alliance
5370 Elvas Avenue ǀ Sacramento, CA 95819
Cell: 916.335.5072
Email: mark.smith@calbuilders.org
Email: mark@smithpolicygroup.com
